Asians experience the most discrimination of all New Zealand racial groups, research finds.

The annual Human Rights Commission diversity forum will be held at the Christchurch Convention Centre tomorrow and Monday.

Confident, equal and proud? A discussion paper on the barriers Asians face to equality in New Zealand will be presented at a panel chaired by Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres.

Co-authored by Adrienne Girling, James Liu and Colleen Ward, the paper pulls together research on racial discrimination in New Zealand that has been collected over decades.

Co-author Liu said despite Asians making up about nine per cent of the population – more than Pacific people – they were regarded poorly by others.

"New Zealanders much more embrace the economic benefits of Asia," Liu said.

"They consider Asia to be the second most important region to New Zealand after Australia – above Europe and the United Kingdom – but they are much more reluctant to embrace Asian people and Asian culture as being part of New Zealand."

"`It's kind of wanting to have your cake and eat it too."

One of the surprising finds showed that despite earning one of the lowest incomes per capita, Asians barely featured in social welfare statistics, he said.

"They are very stoically enduring a difficult time because they have a belief and a commitment to the good things in New Zealand.

"Asians are coming to New Zealand, not necessarily for the purpose of bettering themselves financially, they've come for the lifestyle, the cleanliness and the freedom. While they are the most discriminated against and earn least, they are the second most satisfied among the four main ethnic groups."

(Source The Press)